Every person who has been diagnosed with coeliac disease has gone through their own personal journey, with support from a Healthcare professional. There is a wide range of symptoms that can lead to a diagnosis, ranging from abdominal discomfort to those that can cause serious health issues if left untreated. This article will look at some of the common symptoms that lead to a person being diagnosed with coeliac disease. If you are suffering from any of these and think that you may be affected, it could be time to visit your GP and ask to be tested for coeliac disease.

The symptoms of coeliac disease

It can be difficult to be diagnosed with coeliac disease because there are so many symptoms. Some people develop coeliac disease as children, whereas others only develop symptoms as adults. In rare cases, some people show none of the common symptoms, but it shows up on a blood test. If the blood test is positive, you’ll be referred for an intestinal biopsy. There are slightly different symptoms of coeliac disease in children and adults, so we’ve split them into two below.

What are the most common symptoms of coeliac disease in children?

The digestive symptoms linked to coeliac disease are more common in children, with the following being what you should look out for in infants and children:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Anxiety
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Damage to tooth enamel
• Delayed puberty
• Headaches
• Iron deficiency
• Irritability
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting

What are the most common symptoms of coeliac disease in adults?

In adults, the following are common symptoms of coeliac disease:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Depression and anxiety
• Constipation
• Cognitive impairment
• Fatigue
• Migraines
• Itchy, blistery skin rash
• Joint pain
• Missed periods
• Iron deficiency
• Mouth ulcers
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Osteoporosis

How to get a coeliac diagnosis

If you are suffering from any of the symptoms above and wonder whether you are coeliac, you should speak to a medical professional about testing. When you are in the process of testing, you should maintain your existing diet and not remove gluten right away. That way, your blood test will be accurate during the testing phase.

Support when you have been diagnosed with coeliac disease

Once you have gone through the process of testing and your GP or medical professional has diagnosed you with coeliac disease, it’s time to cut gluten out of your diet completely. This may seem challenging at first, but there is support there for you. One thing that you may be eligible for (check with your GP after you have been diagnosed) is gluten free products on prescription. There are different types of gluten free food available on prescription depending on which part of the UK you live in.

All UK:

• Fresh Bread
• Fresh Rolls
• Flour Mixes
• Rolls
• Longer Life Bread

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland offer, in addition to the above

• Pasta
• Pizza Bases
• Crackers
• Cereal
• Sweet Biscuits

This makes a massive difference to your day-to-day life, providing you with tasty, cupboard essentials that slot right into your new gluten-free diet. Aside from gluten-free products on prescription, keep an eye out for gluten-free friendly restaurants, and the wide variety of gluten free products in supermarkets.